Location selection system and method

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods to select a location to perform a process are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives tool data defining a tool including its location within a manufacturing facility and process data defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle. The system stores the tool data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies a selected process definition. The system outputs a representation of the tool&#39;s location along a first axis, a representation of the process along a second axis, and a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating that the tool satisfies the process if the tool data satisfies the process definition thereby enabling a user to select a location to perform the process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to location selection systems and methods for performing a process within a manufacturing facility.

2. Background

Planning for the assembly of a vehicle within a manufacturing facility may involve identifying a location to perform a process within the manufacturing facility. Tool availability may influence the location selected to perform the process. Current methods of selecting a location include selecting a location based on an individual's knowledge of the manufacturing facility. Such methods may be time consuming and inefficient because of the number of tools needed to assemble a vehicle and the individual's potentially limited knowledge of the tools and their location within the manufacturing facility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, the invention takes the form of a computer-implemented location selection system. The system receives tool data defining a tool including its location within a manufacturing facility and process data defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle. The system stores the tool data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies a selected process definition. The system outputs a representation of the tool's location along a first axis, a representation of the process along a second axis, and a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating that the tool satisfies the process if the tool data satisfies the process definition thereby enabling a user to select a location to perform the process.

In at least one embodiment, the invention takes the form of a location selection method. The method includes receiving tool data defining a tool including its location within a manufacturing facility and receiving process data defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle. The method also includes storing the tool data in memory. The method further includes automatically determining whether the tool satisfies a selected process definition. The method still further includes outputting a representation of the tool's location along a first axis, outputting a representation of the process along a second axis, and outputting a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating that the tool satisfies the process if the tool data satisfies the process definition thereby enabling a user to select a location to perform the process.

While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6 a-6 h show screens in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows an algorithm in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows an algorithm in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a screen in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows an algorithm in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11 a-11 b show screens in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 12 a-12 b show screens in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 13 a-13 b show screens in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows computer-implemented component selection system 10 for manufacturing facility 11. System 10 includes computer 12 configured to receive several types of data 13. Data 13 may be input in any desired fashion including via keyboard or loaded from storage media. Data 13 may include configuration data 14, category data 16, and component data 18. Data 13 may also include tool data 20, process data 22, and requirement data 24. Configuration data 14, category data 16, and component data 18 need not be input simultaneously. Similarly, tool data 20, process data 22, and requirement data 24 need not be input simultaneously.

Configuration data 14 defines vehicle assembly configurations to be assembled within manufacturing facility 11. Vehicle assembly configurations may include an entire vehicle. Vehicle assembly configurations may also include only portions of a vehicle, e.g., engine and seat. Configuration data 14 is associated with component data 18 as will be explained in detail below. Configuration data 14 may be used by system 10 to determine whether vehicle components 28, i.e., 28 a-28 n, satisfy selected vehicle configuration definition 15 as will be explained in detail below. Configuration data 14 may define a trim level, e.g., low-line or high-line, a preferred package of options, e.g., stick shift and spoiler, or a model, e.g., sedan or coupe. Configuration data 14 may define any desired vehicle configuration.

Configuration data 14 may include trim level indicator 26 that may be used by system 10 to determine whether, for example, vehicle component 28 a, e.g., a 15″×6″ wheel, is used in a low-line trim package of a vehicle. For example, if a user of system 10 selects the low-line as vehicle configuration definition 15, as will be explained in detail below, system 10 may automatically select the 15″×6″ wheel.

Configuration data 14 may include model indicator 30 that may be used by system 10 to determine whether, for example, vehicle component 28 a, e.g., a 15″×6″ wheel, is used in a sedan model of a vehicle. For example, if a user of system 10 selects sedan as vehicle configuration definition 15, as will be explained in detail below, system 10 may automatically select the 15″×6″ wheel.

Category data 16 defines component categories. Category data 16 is associated with component data 18 as will be explained in detail below. Category data 16 may be used by system 10 to determine whether vehicle component 28 satisfies selected component category definition 17 as will be explained in detail below. Examples of component category descriptions 29 include wheels, tires, doors, and fenders.

Category data 16 may include vehicle position indicator 32 that may be used by system 10 to determine whether, for example, vehicle component 28 a, e.g., a 15″×6″ wheel, is used on the front of a vehicle. For example, if a user of system 10 selects wheels and rear as component category definition 17, as will be explained in detail below, system 10 may automatically select the 15″×6″ wheel.

Component data 18 defines vehicle components 28. Component data 18 may include information found on an engineering bill of materials, e.g., part number 34, part description 36. Component data 18 may also include component geometry 38, or mathematical data, used to generate a computer model of vehicle component 28.

Tool data 20 defines tools 21, i.e., 21 a-21 n. Tool data 20 may include attributes 42, i.e., 42 a-42 n. Attributes 42 may be used by system 10 to determine whether tool 21 satisfies selected process definition 43 or selected requirement definition 45 as will be explained in detail below.

Process data 22 defines a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle in manufacturing facility 11. Process data 22 may include requirement data 24, i.e., one or more requirements 24 a-24 n, defining a requirement of the process to be performed within manufacturing facility 11.

System 10 stores configuration data 14, category data 16, and component data 18 in memory 40 in a database. System 10 stores tool data 20, process data 22, and requirement data 24 in memory 40 in a database. Data 13, however, may be stored in any manner.

FIG. 2 shows an association between configuration data 14, category data 16, and component data 18 within memory 40. Data 13 that appear in a particular row are associated together.

FIG. 3 shows an example set of tool data 20. Attribute 42 a indicates that tool 21, i.e., 21 a-21 n, is located within manufacturing facility 11. Attribute 42 b indicates the location of tool 21 within manufacturing facility 11. Attribute 42 c indicates, in this example, the maximum torque tool 21 can apply to a nut. Attribute 42 d describes tool 21 and identifies its manufacturer. Attributes 42 may indicate any desired characteristic or capability of tool 21.

FIG. 4 shows an example set of process data 22. Process data 22 includes description 44 of particular process 46, e.g., assemble wheel to vehicle. First Requirement 24 a specifies the amount of torque required. Second Requirement 24 b specifies the desired runner length of tool 21. Third Requirement 24 c specifies the desired manufacturer of tool 21. As explained above, there may be any number of requirements 24.

FIG. 5 shows that certain of category data 16 may be associated with process data 22. System 10 is thus informed as to which component categories are used during a process. For example, the process “assemble wheel to vehicle” uses component categories “wheel, nut, and hub.”

FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate an association between different types of data 13. The tabular format used in FIGS. 2 and 5, however, is for illustration purposes and does not necessarily suggest that data 13 of FIGS. 2 and 5 are associated or stored in such a tabular format. Data 13 of FIGS. 2 and 5 may be associated together using any desired technique. For example, Data 13 may be manually associated together, data 13 may be associated together using an algorithm, or data 13 may be associated together before it is received by system 10.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d show a series of screen shots of system 10 permitting a user to select vehicle configuration definition 15 and process definition 43. Once vehicle configuration definition 15, e.g., sedan and low-line, and process definition 43, e.g., assemble wheel to vehicle, are selected, computer 12 automatically determines whether component data 18 satisfies selected vehicle configuration definition 15 and automatically determines whether component data 18 satisfies selected component category definition 17.

In the example of FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d, component category definition 17 was implicitly selected by selecting process definition 43 because of the association between process data 22 and category data 16 as illustrated in FIG. 5 as will be explained in detail below.

FIGS. 6 e, 6 f, 6 g, and 6 h show a series of screen shots of system 10 in an alternative embodiment permitting a user to explicitly select component category definition 17.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 e, 6 f, 6 g, and 6 h, computer 12 may automatically determine whether component data 18 satisfies selected component category definition 17 based on, for example, vehicle position indicator 32 as will be explained below.

FIG. 7 shows an example algorithm used to select component category definition 17 based on selected process definition 43. At step 54, computer 12 compares selected process definition 43 with process data 22. At step 56, computer 12 determines the logical correctness of the statement: selected process definition 43 matches particular process 46. If true, at step 58, computer 12 returns category data 16 associated with particular process 46. If false, at step 60, computer 12 may prompt the user to add category data 16.

FIG. 8 shows an example algorithm used to automatically determine whether component data 18 satisfies selected vehicle configuration definition 15 and selected component category definition 17. At step 62, computer 12 compares selected vehicle configuration definition 15, e.g., sedan and low-line, with model indicator 30 and trim level indicator 26 associated with component 28 x of component data 18. At step 64, computer 12 determines the logical correctness of the statement: selected vehicle configuration definition 15 matches model indicator 30 and trim level indicator 26. If true, at step 66, computer 12 returns component data 18 associated with model indicator 30 and trim level indicator 26. At step 67, computer 12 determines whether there are more components, e.g., component 28 x+1. If true, computer 12 returns to step 62. If false, at step 69, the algorithm is complete. Returning to step 64, if false, computer 12 determines whether there are more components, e.g., component 28 x+1. If true, computer 12 returns to step 62. If false, at step 69, the algorithm is complete. Computer 12 performs this algorithm for each component 28, i.e., 28 a-28 n.

The computer 12 may automatically determine whether component data 18 satisfies selected component category definition 17 based on vehicle position indicator 32 using algorithms similar to those of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 9 shows output 68 representing vehicle components 28, e.g., 28 a, 28 b, and 28 e, selected as a result of computer 12 performing the algorithms of FIGS. 7 and 8. Output 68 includes alpha-numeric characters. Output 68, however, may take any desired form. Output 68 may be in electronic or hard copy format. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, output 68 appears on a display screen.

FIG. 10 shows an example algorithm used to automatically determine whether tool data 20 satisfies selected process definition 43. At step 70, computer 12 compares selected process definition 43 with process data 22. At step 72, computer 12 determines the logical correctness of the statement: selected process definition 43 matches particular process 46. If true, at step 74 computer 12 compares requirements 24 associated with particular process 46 with attributes 42 of tool data 20. As such, requirement definition 45 is implicitly selected. Requirement definition 45 may be explicitly selected in a manner similar to that explained with reference to FIGS. 6 e, 6 f, 6 g, and 6 h. If false, at step 76, computer 12 may prompt the user to add requirements 24. At step 80, computer 12 determines the logical correctness of the statement: requirement definition 45 matches attributes 42 of tool data 20. If true, at step 82, computer 12 returns tool 21, e.g., 28 x of 28 a-28 n, associated with attributes 42. If false, at step 84, computer 12 may prompt the user to add a tool.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show output 86 representing tools 21, e.g., 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d, as a result of computer 12 performing the algorithm of FIG. 10. Output 86 includes alpha-numeric characters. Output 86, however, may take any form. Output 86 may be in electronic or hard copy format. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, output 86 appears on a display screen.

Output 86 may indicate tool location 42 b. Output 86 also permits the user to select one or more tools 21, e.g., 21 b and 21 c, by selecting fields 87. FIG. 12 shows two of fields 87 selected. Tools 21, however, may be selected in any desired fashion. Selected tools 21 may be stored in memory 40 using any desired technique. Output 68 of FIG. 9 may also be shown simultaneously with output 86 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 a shows an alternative embodiment of output 86. FIG. 13 a shows a spreadsheet including grid 88 listing the processes to be performed in manufacturing facility 11 on y-axis 83, e.g., assemble wheel to vehicle, and the locations of all the work cells within manufacturing facility 11 along x-axis 85, e.g., cell 1, cell 2, etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 13 a, x-axis 85 is generally perpendicular to y-axis 83. Empty circles 89 in each of location cells 23, 35, and 45 indicate the locations within manufacturing facility 11 where tool 21 satisfies selected process definition 43.

FIG. 13 b shows that a user is able select empty circle 89 to indicate where the process is currently being performed, e.g., cell 23. The user may, for example select one of circles 89 with a mouse click. The user is also able to indicate desired location 85 to perform the process within manufacturing facility 11, e.g., the “X” in cell 1. The user may, for example, type an “X” directly in the field of interest.

FIG. 14 shows a location selection method. At step 90, tool data defining a tool including an attribute and its location within a manufacturing facility is received. At step 92, process data including a requirement defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle is received. At step 94, the tool data is stored in memory. At step 96, a determination is automatically made as to whether the tool satisfies a selected process definition based on the attribute and the requirement. At step 98, a representation of the tool's location is output along a first axis. At step 100, a representation of the process is output along a second axis. At step 102, a representation of a grid is output relative to the first axis and the second axis. At step 104, a representation is output relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating that the tool satisfies the process if the tool data satisfies the process definition. At step 106, location data defining a current location of the process within the manufacturing facility is received. At step 108, a representation is output relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating the current location of the process within the manufacturing facility. At step 110, desired location data indicating a desired location of the process within the manufacturing facility is received. At step 112, a representation is output relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating the desired location of the process within the manufacturing facility.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A computer-implemented location selection system comprising: a computer configured to receive tool data defining a tool including its location within a manufacturing facility, receive process data defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle, store the tool data in memory, automatically determine whether the tool data satisfies a selected process definition, output a representation of the tool's location along a first axis, output a representation of the process along a second axis, and output a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating that the tool satisfies the process if the tool data satisfies the process definition thereby enabling a user to select a location to perform the process.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the tool data includes an attribute and the computer automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies the selected process definition based on the attribute.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the process data includes a requirement and the computer automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies the selected process definition based on the requirement.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the computer is further configured to output a representation of a grid relative to the first axis and the second axis.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer is further configured to receive location data defining a current location of the process within the manufacturing facility.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the computer is further configured to output a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating the current location of the process within the manufacturing facility.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer is further configured to receive desired location data indicating a desired location of the process within the manufacturing facility.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the computer is further configured to output a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating the desired location of the process within the manufacturing facility.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the representation indicating that the tool satisfies the selected process definition is in an electronic or hard copy format.
 11. A location selection method comprising: receiving tool data defining a tool including its location within a manufacturing facility; receiving process data defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle; storing the tool data in memory; automatically determining whether the tool satisfies a selected process definition; outputting a representation of the tool's location along a first axis; outputting a representation of the process along a second axis; and outputting a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating that the tool satisfies the process if the tool data satisfies the process definition thereby enabling a user to select a location to perform the process.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the tool data includes an attribute and the method automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies the selected process definition based on the attribute.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the process data includes a requirement and the method automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies the selected process definition based on the requirement.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the first axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the method further comprises outputting a representation of a grid relative to the first axis and the second axis.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the method further comprises receiving location data defining a current location of the process within the manufacturing facility.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the method further comprises outputting a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating the current location of the process within the manufacturing facility.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein the method further comprises receiving desired location data indicating a desired location of the process within the manufacturing facility.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the method further comprises outputting a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating the desired location of the process within the manufacturing facility.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein the representation indicating that the tool satisfies the selected process definition is in an electronic or hard copy format. 